experiments in meditation & creativity
🌱🧠 Flourishing Neuron 🪷✨
Exploring insights from neuroscience, psychology, and contemplative wisdom to cultivate a meditation & creativity practice. Join the experiment!
Want to cultivate a meditation & creativity practice?
There are infinite ways to create a life of flourishing. 🌱
You’re likely cultivating the conditions for it every day, through nourishing meals, moving your body, and savoring hugs with the people you love.
And if you’re like me, there might be a few practices you long to bring in. For me, it’s meditation and creativity. My soul feels called to them, and there’s a deep knowing they’ll help me become more embodied, more alive, and more present, for myself and for others.
I’m drawing on neuroscience, psychology, and contemplative wisdom to build a daily meditation and creativity practice, and I’ll share what I learn as I go.
If you’re curious, I’d love for you to join the experiment. Together, we’ll explore the science behind contemplative practices, try out practical tools for building new habits, and check in on how it’s going: what’s working and what needs fine-tuning.
Hello, I’m Dara
(pronounced DARE-uh)
I’m deeply curious about the science & soul of human flourishing.
I’ve spent more than a decade in the inner growth space. I trained as a coach, then as a psychotherapist, studying Internal Family Systems (IFS), EMDR, and somatic approaches.
In truth, my journey began from a place of “not enoughness.” Slowly (very slowly), it has become an ongoing practice of compassion. What changed things most wasn’t reaching some external measure of success. It was realizing I’m not an object to be fixed or a problem to be solved. I’m human, an imperfect and beautiful soul like the rest of us.
I’m still drawn to inner growth, but my lens has shifted from “What can I improve?” to “What is possible?”
Right now, that question is leading me to meditation and creativity. If you’re drawn to these contemplative practices too, I’d love for you to join me in this experiment of meditating and creating.
Let’s begin by meeting ourselves and who we’re becoming, with compassion. The kind that’s rooted in a “strong back, soft front, wild heart” (words from Roshi Joan Halifax and Brené Brown).
Meditate. Create. Flourish.
〰️
Meditate. Create. Flourish. 〰️
Ready to experiment our way forward? Join the experiment.
A bit about me.
I’m a multi-passionate human who has lived many chapters as a mother, psychotherapist, coach, brand marketer, and creative business founder.
You’ll often find me delighting in life’s simple wonders, dancing with my daughters and soaking in their laughter. Nature lights up my soul — I enjoy barefoot beach runs, ocean swims, yoga, and scenic bike rides. I’m also a voracious reader and believe books can accompany us on whatever journey we’re on.
Training & Certifications
Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT), California School of Professional Psychology
Certified Professional Co-Active® Coach (CPCC), ICF-Accredited Program
Internal Family Systems (IFS) Level I Trained, IFS Institute
EMDR Trained, EMDR Institute
Somatic Internal Family Systems (IFS) Training with LaDonna Silva, LMFT, Level 3 Certified Trainer
Certificate in Somatic Embodiment via Linda Thai, LMSW, Collectively Rooted
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) Training via Board-Certified Clinical Psychologist, Nick Wignall